Each winter, we see the incredible damage burst water pipes can do inside of a home.

So today, I’m taking a trip down into the crawl space to show you a simple way to protect your pipes so you can avoid a cold, wet, expensive cleanup.

The whole process is pretty straightforward.

The first step is to identify the water pipes you want to insulate. The pipes most susceptible to freezing are usually located in the basement or crawl space, attached to the underside of the floor joists.

After you locate them, you’ll need to measure the total length of pipe to determine how much insulating material you need to buy. Since the material comes in different sizes, you’ll also need to determine the pipe diameter. These pipes are ½” in diameter, but we also have ¾” pipes in this space, so we want to get both sizes.

There are many different ways to insulate pipes, one of the easiest ways is to use tubular foam or rubber with adhesive because it’s dependable and easy to apply. These can be purchased at home depot, lowes or most plumbing supply stores.

Now, with our materials in hand, we’re ready for installation.

Begin by laying out sections underneath the pipes. Next, pick up the first piece of insulation and slowly peel back the adhesive at the end you’re going to apply first. Then, wrap the tube around the pipe and secure by pressing together material to create a seal.

Repeat the process, until all pipes are covered.

If you plan on traveling for an extended period of time this winter, we highly recommend talking with a plumber about ways to protect your home before you head out.

Just remember, a little time preparing now, can save a lot of headaches later. Stay tuned for more winter house safety tips coming soon!